A SAINSBURY'S cafe assistant admitted taking money from the till when she appeared before Island magistrates.

Katrina Dickinson, of Clarence Road, Shanklin, pleaded guilty to stealing £1,500 from her employer.

The 23 year old had been working as a cafe assistant at the Newport store and, between January 18 and February 3, had taken the money while cashing up the till, the court heard.

Ann Smout, prosecuting, said the company was alerted to the problem when they noticed money was missing from the cafe tills.

They looked at the CCTV and saw Dickinson in the act. When the defendant was shown the footage, she admitted to the theft immediately.

Dickinson said her actions were out of character and that it was done on impulse.

For Dickinson, Liz Miller said the defendant did not know why she did it initially but after the first time, it had become an adrenaline rush.

Dickinson was fined £200, ordered to pay a £85 surcharge and pay back the £1,500.